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The final AJ of the year looks back at the past 12 months and forward to the year ahead. We review 2018’s key architectural events and trends and preview the stories set to dominate the new year. We also pick out the people to watch in 2019 and highlight eight key buildings set to complete. And to make sure you’ve been paying attention, there’s a Christmas quiz on the events that shook the architectural world in 2018 and a chance to play spot the building. PLUS a building study of Karakusevic ..

The 10,000m²Jameel Arts Centre features 10 gallery spaces as well as seven desert gardens

Located on the Jaddaf waterfront, the Jameel Arts Centre by London-based Serie Architects includes 1,000m²of ‘kunsthalle-inspired’ gallery spaces as well as research and events spaces, a roof terrace, restaurant and book/design shop. The scheme was designed for Art Jameel, an independent organisation supporting arts, education and heritage in the Middle East.

The project consists of a series of rectilinear forms linked by a colonnade, which connect interior gallery spaces and outdoor gardens and courtyards. A material palette of raw concrete and semi-reflective aluminium is designed to complement the arts centre’s waterside location. The clustered volumes create a number of self-shading courtyards which allow for cross-ventilation.

A series of seven courtyard gardens designed by landscape architect Anouk Vogel feature 33 species of plants, including endangered plants such as a Sesame Bush which is between 220 and 300 years old. The scheme also includes an open-air sculpture park designed by Dubai-based architects ibda, which connects the Jameel Arts Centre and surrounding Jaddaf corniche.

Mohamed somji 05

Architect’s view

We worked very closely with Art Jameel, listening to their needs, responding with architectural ideas and discursively refining them. The architecture that emerged is one that is able to accommodate a wide range of uses and continues to evolve with the city it serves. It acts as a background structure for the life of the centre to unfold, without disappearing from view. Positioning galleries around courtyard gardens and framed views of the waterfront also serves to create moments of rest and connection, while providing potential spaces for commissioned installations.

There are early signs that height corridor obstacles might stand between British Land and its vision for Canada Water , after Historic England said its proposed tower cluster would have a ‘profound and far-reaching’ impact on London’s skyline

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